Pregnancy is generally seen as a bright and positive time, resulting in a new addition to the family and thus a new chapter of life. Today’s advanced medical technology in North Carolina hospitals helps make that process smoother. However, error is a part of human nature that can be difficult to pinpoint and, to the horror of some mothers, can also deal with pregnancy issues.
Cesarean sections have long been known as an alternative to vaginal birth, but the process can come with its own set of complications. When a patient suspects that an injury could be due to a doctor’s mistakes, those complications can seem magnified. What can new mothers dealing with C-section problems do when a surgeon is to blame?
The Numbers
Most American hospitals are capable of assisting the various needs of pregnant mothers — or so many would assume. An article in Consumer Reports shares that this is not always the case: in a study of over 1,300 hospitals across the US, experts found that C-section rates for low-risk deliveries can vary depending on location. What is more shocking is the fact that most C-sections are not required in the first place. Such procedures can place both mother and baby at risks and can become higher in cost. Yet even with the vast number of hospitals to choose from, Consumer Reports adds that it is the responsibility of hospitals and providers to make better decisions regarding this type of procedure.
The Risks
The American Pregnancy Association also weighs in on the risky procedure of C-section deliveries, but first notes the gradual increase in cesarean births over the last 30 years. The APA appears to be in agreement with the aforementioned warning that a large number of C-sections are not necessary. Some of the risks C-sections pose include infection, injury to mothers’ organs, extended hospital stays, premature birth, breathing problems and fetal injury. Sometimes this type of delivery is inevitable, but APA encourages all expecting mothers to communicate openly with their doctors about all possible risks and outcomes.